I Got Healed Of Asthma, Pneumonia During His Crusade’ — Frank Edwards, Others Mourn Rev Ukpai
The Christian community on Monday was thrown into mourning following the announcement of the demise of a renowned evangelist, Rev Dr Umah Ukpai.
The family, in a statement on Monday, announced that the cleric died on October 6, 2025, at the age of 80.
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Ukpai was a faithful soldier of the cross who dedicated over six decades of his life to fiery evangelism,
Dynamic teaching of the Word, and prophetic demonstrations of the power of God. His ministry has brought salvation, healing, and hope to millions across Nigeria and worldwide.
Tributes have flooded social media since the announcement of his death, with many describing him as a true servant of God who has served his job and gone to be with his maker.
Nigerian singer, trumpeter, and gospel songwriter Pastor Nataniel Bassey, on his Facebook page, penned down a tribute to Upkai, describing him as a man of God with great power and immense stature and impact who knew the ways of the spirit and how to deploy praise and worship in spiritual warfare.
Bassey also recalled how he was inspired to lead multitudes in an evening fast, which he said he learnt from the late Ukpai.
He wrote, “Oh! Dr Uma! Oh Papa Uma! Sometimes you wish some people would never die.
What a man! Just a few days ago, I was inspired to lead multitudes in an evening fast. Something I learnt from you and did mention so. Was that a signal???
“You called me SON. What a privilege. A man of God, INDEED.
One of great power and immense stature, and impact. A man who knew the ways of the spirit, who knew how to deploy praise and worship in spiritual warfare and the supernatural.
We ache, but heaven rejoices. Good night, Papa @uma_ukpai!”
The senior pastor and general overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Pastor Johnson Suleman, also shared his tribute on his Instagram page, saying, “Thou power of God, in the name of Jesus MOVE. By those words, the wind Blew….
“He Stood Gallant And Taught Us a Mission. Good Night, GENERAL SIR…. (Psalm 116: 15) Rest in Power, DR UMA UKPAI…”
The lead pastor of Light Nation Church and the principal of the International School of Ministry,
Apostle Femi Lazarus wrote, “Rest on daddy, You fought a good fight.”
A Nigerian musician, songwriter and record producer, Frank Edwards, also acknowledged the impact of late Ukpai on people, recalling how he was healed of asthma and pneumonia at the age of 8 in one of Ukpai’s crusades at Enugu.
He wrote, “At the age of 8, I got healed of asthma and pneumonia in one of your crusades in Enugu!! Thank you for impacting the world in a special way!! YOU FINISHED WELL PAPA REST ON.”
Also, Ebuka Songs on his Facebook page expressed his heavy heart over Ukpai’s demise, describing him as a teacher, father, hope and strength to many.
“I’ve never felt this heavy than I feel right now but yet Joy at last knowing there’s a Banquet in Heaven at His Arrival. A life well lived, Father, Teacher, Hope and Strength to many. Man of so many encounters, yet humble and loving Kai.
May the mantle that you carry and the cry you’ve made in my generation be revealed in us. Truly, to die is a great gain. @uma_ukpai 🤍🕊.”
The Abia-born evangelist was the founder of the Umah Ukpai Evangelic Association and one of the founding fathers of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
